Space Shuttle Launch May 31, 2008

Today was the day that Martin and I had stayed for. Unfortunately we were not onboard a boat but we did get to watch the Space Shuttle lift off from Cape Canaveral. Watching a manned launch is AWESOME.

Remember..to see all my pictures go to

Kip's Pics

And to see Martins pictures and blog go to

The Wizard Wanders

Day 7 Key West to Cocoa FL

milage 395
total milage 2310

Once again we are on the road early. The plan is to ride up the center of Fl and then cut sraight East to Cocoa Beach where we will be staying with an old friend.

The plan falls apart in mid afternoon when we realize that because of the low speed limits, small towns and traffic that we may not reach our beds. Scrap the plan. Oh by the way for future info.. a scenic highway should not mean a high dyke on one side and a row of trees on the other side.

395 miles later we pull into Bobs' driveway and are welcomed to our best camp yet. Before we even get inside the house Bob has invited us to stay and watch the space shuttle lanch on Saturday. Silly question, of course we are staying. I worked on the Titan program in the 60's and saw many launches from Vandenberg AFB but never a manned launch. This will be a total first for Martin. Don't worry Dori, we will still be there for your birthday. Bob has opened his refrigerator to us...don't worry Cozy we will leave some. Bob and Morgan (Bobs' son) are getting the boat ready so we can go fishing and then watch the lanch from the water.

Pictures in Photo bucket http://s180.photobucket.com/albums/x182/kipmilam/Motorcycle%20trips/Four%20Corners%20Ride%202008/

Day 6 Collier-Seminole SP FL to Key West

milage 252
total milage 1915

They're awake, they never sleep, they're always hungry, they're everywhere!!! Mosquitos!!

We're up and out early. A long run (timewise) to Key West and hopefully we will be able to find a camp site...still memorial weekend. We are off in a cloud of Deet.

Straight East accross Florida, thru the Great Cyprus Swamp and indian land/swamp. A gorgeous time to ride...it'a cooler today... 90-95?

We stopped for breakfast and then found a place with small (8 pass) air boats and tours of the swamp. Very reasonable $17 for a 35 min ride including a 10 min stop at their indian souvineer sales island. I took stills, Martin got some video.

Started out onto the Keys to find that all those folks wanting to get home on memorial day weekend were going the other way, a 50 mile parking lot. We finally got to Key West late in the afternoon, got all of our pictures and then found Boyds camp ground. Got a camp site 20 ft from the water. High winds and it rained 3-4 times during the night. I only woke for one so I'm taking Martins' word for it.

Camping cost $60

Got up as high as 50mpg on the Valkyrie today. The keys highway is low speed limits with high traffic..don't plan on making time here.

Day 5 Ocean Pond FL to Collier-Seminole State Park FL

milage 413
total milage 1663

We have found that with the heat and the humidity that it is best to break camp at first light and get on the road. Usually stopping in about an hour (flex time) later to eat. We carry no cooking gear or food with us. The plan today is to head down the center of the state to the Collier-Seminole camp ground.

Surprise, the plan works, got in to late though, the band at the biker bar was packing up as we rolled in. We did cross the Florida rockies in north central florida, must have ben 200-300 feet.
413 miles later we roll into the camp ground.

Camp cost $17 (FL state park)......the camp ground is very nice and well equiipped but they should have paid us!!!

Little did we know that this camp ground is the official testing grounds for mosquito repellent manufacturers. OHH but we know know. Horrible, vicious and flying in 1000 mosquito raids. It was literally life threatning to use the laundry facilities.

Listening to the park ranger tell us some of his mosquito stories was fun.

Day 4 Big Lagoon FL to Ocean Pond FL

milage 364
total milage 1250

Our first day out as wingmen again. The plan was to follow hwy 98 down the coast. We all know about plans, right? Memorial day weekend traffic on the coast means 5 hours travel and 127 miles. I exceed my frustration factor with traffic and stop lights. We leave the coast heading NE until we reached I-10, then went East to the Osceola Natl Forest. Remember Natl Forest means cheap camping especialy with a senior pass. We found space available by the lake at the Ocean Pond camp ground.

Low cost $6

We covered 364 miles today but it was a long day due to the slow start speed.

Later in the evening when the lake was flat a 2 man hydroplane made about 5 quick laps. That was interesting.

Day 3 Chewcala AL to Big Lagoon FL

milage 226
total milage 886

Left camp about 7am. Had light rain in the morning but not enough to cause me to switch from my mesh gear.

Pulled into the Big Lagoon camp ground in Pensacola, FL., about 1:30, cost was $18, FL state park.

I now found that we picked Memorial day weekend, being old I thought it was next weekend..and I'm right. :)

It was a short day, only 226 miles. I expected to be on the bay but found it was a mile walk, on a boardwalk thru the swamp to get to the ocean, I only made it half way. The humidity was horrible.

Martin pulled in about an hour later. The trip ia on for real now.

We were treated to massive lightning/thunder storm that went on for 2-3 hours that night with very hard rain. Our Lightning tents once again came thru as champs. But even with the storm the humidity made it hard to sleep. The camp site was on crushed sea shells, my tent had a fishy oder for two days.

Day 2 Kings Mtn SC to Chewcala AL

Milage 324
Total Milage 660

Left camp, rode thru the civil war battlefield park and then 6 miles to the highway in NC, 6 more miles and I was back in SC. Rode thru Georgia, some rain, and then into Alabama.

Talked to m/c rider from TX that had been to Key West and was now on his way to the carolinas to ride the mountains.

At about 3pm I arrived the Chewcala State camp ground, covered 324 miles.

camp cost $11.30

Day 1 Hampton VA to Kings Mtn SC

Milage 336
Total Miles 336

Today is the day..off on a new adventure. The weather was great and I was ready. I had a nice 336 mile ride to Kings Mtn State Park in So Carolina. I actually was in No Carolina and drove 6 miles to the camp ground. Got in about 4:30 and camped in the primitive area. There was a bicycle rider came in later, he was on day 7 of a 21 day ride.

Averaged 37-40mpg.

Pictures in Photo bucket http://s180.photobucket.com/albums/x182/kipmilam/Motorcycle%20trips/Four%20Corners%20Ride%202008/

Got apicture the next morning of the mist coming off the lake but no picture of the camp. I started on my collection of rest stop pictures, the variety is tremendous.

Camp cost $15